NHTSA — Visibility/Wiper Problems

2.7

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
53,278 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2011 Buick LaCrosse accessories - exterior problems

accessories - exterior problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2011 Buick LaCrosse:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2011 Buick LaCrosse Owner Comments

problem #14

Feb 172023

LaCrosse

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

When driving in rain and high humidity, the windshield and front windows will often completely fog up with moisture on the inside of the car. It can make seeing outside while driving impossible and risks an accident. In three years we have found no settings on the climate control system that will avoid this problem. We have had the heater core replaced in a futile attempt to remedy the situation. We have been told by Buick that there is no fix or recall.

- Des Moines, IA, USA

problem #13

Oct 312021

LaCrosse

  • miles
Defrost doesn't always work. Can't see too drive when this happens. Thought there was a recall.

- Sioux Falls, SD, USA

problem #12

Oct 142020

LaCrosse

  • 72,700 miles
II cannot control the defroster or fan control. The VIN. No. says this was on recall. But the Buick dealer in my area said it no a recall on 2011 Buick Lacrosse. They want a hundred dollars to correct this problem. Sometimes this work and other with no luck. Isome times have to wait up to 20 to 30 minute before I can the defrost the windshield so I drive !!!!!!!!

- Scio, NY, USA

problem #11

Oct 072020

LaCrosse

  • 1 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Driver cannot see road which windshield stays fogged up when driving and will not defog this is a danger for it could cause it led to crashes windshield and back window remains fogged up which is very dangerous when driving in traffic I was just made aware that there is a recall on this and need this taken care of asap thanks

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #10

Feb 042020

LaCrosse

  • miles
Defrost system not working properly, front windshield defrost system fails to clear window, and visibility is an issue. HVAC system doesn't cool properly, compressor comes on, however temperature only lowers to a certain temperature. Temperature cools better while vehicle is in motion on highway.

- Saint Petersburg, FL, USA

Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...

problem #9

Jun 162019

LaCrosse

  • 130,000 miles
Windows will not defog ac barely runs took it in to a shop to get a recharge but still nothing. My seat rocks back and forth like a rocking chair on driver side. I also have pictures and videos but don't know how send copy paste the link to you...

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #8

Sep 162014

LaCrosse

  • 66,985 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Electronic climate control system allows windshield to become fogged over and I cannot see to drive or control HVAC system. I cannot control the heating, cooling and ventilation. Example: The system seems to blow or allow warm air in cabin when the A/C is on set at 68-72 degrees. This is when car is in motion and at idle on any road I travel. I reported problem to rice Buick-GMC, Inc. 8330 kingston pike knoxville, tn 37919-5449 (865) 693-0610 on 9/16/2014, 9/25/2014 and the problem persisted & getting worse to date 01/07/2019. I just found out about this important safety recall. Safety recall is listed for 2011 Buick Lacrosse on March 4, 2011 NHTSA campaign number: 11V149000 software in electronic climate control affects defrost system reducing drivers visibility and could result in crash. Unable to control HVAC system. Second problem is engine/ emissions, catalytic converter, sensor errors. All have caused check-engine light to come on.

- Loudon, TN, USA

problem #7

Apr 302018

LaCrosse

  • 85,000 miles
Sunroof exploded outward going 70mph on interstate. No cars around me no birds or other things. Road perfectly smooth straight direction of travel. No bad weather and all windows raised at the time. Scared me to death. Everything was normal up until the time it exploded. I thought it was a bullet at first.

- Dyersburg, TN, USA

problem #6

Oct 152014

LaCrosse

  • 42,000 miles
I have issues with my defrost system in my 2011 Buick Lacrosse which is causing visibility issues (safety) when I drive. Several times I had to pull off the road, roll down my windows and try to get my windshield to defrost so I could see to drive. I looked up recalls on cars.com and noticed that there was a recall issued in March 2011 for 2011 Buick Lacrosse models for the ecc module describing the exact systems my car is having. I called the Buick 1-800 number to inquire about the recall and the representative stated that my particular VIN# was not on that recall list but I could take it to a dealership for a diagnosis and for repairs at my expense. I explained to her that I could not understand why if my car is having the exact same issues as the recall is stating why would my car not be under the recall notice. She stated that it was probably manufactured at a different plant and not at the plant which recalls were issued. My question is "if I am having the same exact issues as described in the recall for the 2011 Buick Lacrosse models than why do I have to pay to have the problem diagnosed and fixed?" I believe that Buick should take responsibility and contact a dealership to have my car diagnosed and then if it is determined that this is the same problem as the recall they should pay for those repairs as well. This has been an on-going issue since I purchased the car (used) in October 2014

- Pearland, TX, USA

problem #5

Jun 012016

LaCrosse 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 150,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Buick Lacrosse. While driving the vehicle, the HVAC system failed and the contact was unable to defrost the windows without warning. The vehicle was diagnosed by the local dealer (high performance Buick GMC, located at 1985 California ave sw, camden, Arkansas) that the ecc panel needed to be replaced and the ecc module needed to be reprogrammed. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 11V149000 (visibility) the manufacturer did not offer any further assistance and referred the contact to NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000. Updated 07/13/17

- El Derado, AR, USA

problem #4

Jun 052014

LaCrosse

  • 27,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2011 Buick Lacrosse. When the vehicle was started, the climate control failed to operate. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was excluded from NHTSA campaign number: 11V149000 (visibility). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 27,000.

- Lebanon, PA, USA

problem #3

Jan 232016

LaCrosse

  • 60,000 miles
Climate control system. On three occasions the climate control system has switched to heat and high fan, locking the driver out of the controls and causing the passenger compartment to become extremely hot and uncomfortable. I was able to pull over to the side of the road on one occasion, turn the engine off and let the car sit for a few minutes before restarting the car. The system returned to normal. On two of the three occasions, the car was in motion. On one occasion it happened in the garage. Dash lights - while driving at night, all passenger compartment lights went off for about 30 seconds, and then came back on. I took the car to the local dealer and they checked the system, including the battery. They found no computer codes to explain the malfunction.

- Commerce, TX, USA

problem #2

Jan 122016

LaCrosse

  • 111,200 miles
Defroster, heat, A/C, fan speed, recirc, heat/cool seats functions failed (stopped working completly) while driving in a snow storm on January 12, 2016 on highway us 131 to traverse city, mi. Found recall information NHTSA # 11V149000. Brought to dealer. Dealer said not coverred under recal due to VIN #, and owner cost of $400 + to repair. Contacted Buick customer care. Spoke with asia and leslie on 1/15/16, who said GM could not help. I described language of the recall as being identical to the safety hazard described in the NHTSA language: "windshield defrosting and defogging systems" on these vehicles, the software in the electronic climate control module may disable the ability to adjust the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system settings. If this happens, the driver will not be able to control the cooling and ventilation for the vehicle. Consequence: If this condition affects the defrost system when it is required, it may decrease the driver's visibility and could result in a crash."

- Grand Rapids, MI, USA

problem #1

Aug 012011

LaCrosse 6-cyl

  • 1,000 miles
Blind spot warning system (bsws) inoperative que on vehicle multi function information display (mfid), located behind the steering wheel in a 3"X4" area is inadequate. The bsws on this vehicle is very sustainable to road spray during rain events that renders this system inoperative. The issue is in the warning that is displayed to the driver when this occurs. The message displayed is only shown for approximately 5 secs, then is removed without any driver action acknowledgement. No icon is shown to remind drivers of active messages. If this message is missed, the driver is not aware that this system is inoperative. Also, there is no message telling the driver when this system becomes operational again. Two possible outcomes. 1. the driver does not believe in the system, losing the benefit of this valuable system, especially in this vehicle model with its large blind spots, or 2. the driver believing in the system and turns into traffic, not realizing that the system has become inop and unaware because of the missed message on the mfid. These are basic human factors issues that have been dealt with in the aviation industries for years. The industry needs to address these types of issues as we continue to increase our reliance on automation in these vehicles. The lack of a standard and standards between manufacturers will become a significant player in coming years.

- Kingwood, TX, USA

Not what you are looking for?